• Re: 2a3 change in paramour question Paul Joppa 13:47:02 04/14/01 (4)
  In Reply to: 2a3 change in paramour question posted by berlin on April 14, 2001 at 09:13:36:

  The Paramour does not exceed the rated maximum voltage and dissipation for 2A3 tubes. All 2A3's should work acceptably and reliably, without modifying the circuit.

  The Paraglow and Afterglow were found to sound a bit better with more current, when using the KR and AVVT tubes; those currents are beyond the specifications for classic 2A3s. Perhaps that is the source of your memory?

  The exception to watch out for is if you have unusually high power line voltage. In that case, all the voltages will be too high, including the filament voltage as well as the B+. The Paramour transformer has a 120v primary, and tube manuals typically specify a maximum deviation of 10%, so it ought to be workable from 110v to 130v. For valuable antique tubes, I would be careful with this, and consider a variac or other voltage control if needed to keep the voltage at or below 120v.
  
  

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  • Re: 2a3 change in paramour question + the 83 berlin 20:19:24 04/14/01 (3)
    In Reply to: Re: 2a3 change in paramour question posted by Paul Joppa on April 14, 2001 at 13:47:02:

    Hi Paul,

    Thanks for the information. Perhaps the post was regarding more current for the newer tubes or as VoltSecond mentioned, the 45s. Sometimes it all blurs together.

    I do have some older tubes I want to use in the Paramours when I get them built and so I have some concern for their care and feeding. I like the idea of a voltage controller.

    I have also been looking at the Amperite delay switch for providing filament power prior to B+. I had read recently here that doing so will help prolong the life of older 2a3 tubes. I have no experience with the Amperite, but it seems straight-forward.

    Additionally, I have some 83 mercury vapor rectifiers and I was thinking of using those in the Paramours. From what I have read they are very steady and have only a 15v drop across them and the output voltage is enough for a 2a3. Do you have any thoughts on this?

    Thanks again,

    berlin
    
    

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    • Re: 2a3 change in paramour question + the 83 Paul Joppa 01:33:17 04/15/01 (0)
      In Reply to: Re: 2a3 change in paramour question + the 83 posted by berlin on April 14, 2001 at 20:19:24:

      Those 83's are sweet - and I love the blue glow in a dark room!

      But there's neither room on the chassis nor filament power in a Paramour for them. And they have an abrupt turn-off spike, similar to silicon diodes. Many audiophiles love them, but they do spray RFI unless you design with that in mind. I haven't messed with them since I was a teenager, for that reason. (Plus of course mercury vapor is exceedingly poisonous!)

      There's a post somewhere below I think, on using a 6 or 12v filament transformer to buck or boost line voltage - an article in Glass Audio if I remember right.
      
      

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    • Re: 2a3 change in paramour question + the 83 VoltSecond 00:38:15 04/15/01 (1)
      In Reply to: Re: 2a3 change in paramour question + the 83 posted by berlin on April 14, 2001 at 20:19:24:

      I personally believe delaying the B+ until the filament is hot is a good for the tube. My AVVT mesh plates flashed white at power up until I added a B+ delay. I could hear whistling from the speakers during the flash. Now the turn on is quiet and uneventful.

      A long time ago I talked to a tube manufacture and he recommended keeping the voltage to less than 1/3 rated until the filament is hot. I don't remember the name of the man I talked to. We were talking about 6550's at the time.

      Unless you are going to rebuild the Paramour on a new chassis, stick with the solid state diodes.
      
      

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      • thanks guys! <nt> berlin 10:03:53 04/15/01 (0)
        In Reply to: Re: 2a3 change in paramour question + the 83 posted by VoltSecond on April 15, 2001 at 00:38:15:

        .
        
        

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• Re: 2a3 change in paramour question VoltSecond 10:40:46 04/14/01 (1)
  In Reply to: 2a3 change in paramour question posted by berlin on April 14, 2001 at 09:13:36:

  I don't remember that post.

  I think you are thinking about people using 45's in the Paramour.
  
  

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  • thanks <nt> berlin 11:39:48 04/14/01 (0)
    In Reply to: Re: 2a3 change in paramour question posted by VoltSecond on April 14, 2001 at 10:40:46:

    
    .
    
    

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